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On the Run: Poughkeepsie's Joseph enjoys Boston experience

Pete Colaizzo, For the Poughkeepsie Journal
Published 7:02 p.m. ET May 1, 2017

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The Boston Marathon took place on Monday with two Kenyans winning the title to continue their country's legacy of dominance in the sport.

Poughkeepsie runner Michel Joseph embraces every aspect of marathon running. When you see him run, or when you talk to him about running, his passion and joy shine through.

As a member of the Middle Aged Machines, a training group of — you guessed it — mostly middle-aged men, Joseph is the brains behind the operation. He takes an analytical approach to training and to racing, methodically plotting out his workouts, his days and his weeks. Most times, he is joined by his MAM friends, and he gently guides them with training and racing advice — some take it, others do not.

But mostly, Joseph’s love for running is infectious. See him out on a run along Hooker Avenue, in Vassar Farm or maybe on the dirt roads in Millbrook, and he’ll probably wave enthusiastically and give a hearty thumbs up as he scoots by at a healthy clip. He had a strong run at the recent Boston Marathon, and he submitted this race report via email:

“This was my fifth Boston and it was as inspiring, as humbling and as fulfilling as was my first. I feel blessed, privileged and honored to have completed the 121st running of the legendary Boston Marathon.

“It was a warm and mostly a sunny run. We did have a tailwind for most of the race and humidity was low, which helped. Because of the temperature, I had to change my race strategy. I decided to run more on effort level and heart rate instead of forcing specific paces. I kept my heart rate at about 85 percent of max. I also made sure I hydrated and fueled well along the course. Thus, I was able to maintain energy stores throughout the race and did not fade as much in the last 10 (kilometers). I am happy with my 3:29:16 finish. This time takes me from a starting qualification seed of 12,434 to a 6,857th-place finish.

“I want to thank my family, my running partners and my friends for their unwavering support and encouragement.

“The (Boston Athletic Association) organizing committee, the enthusiastic spectators and the tireless volunteers make this race the world class running event that it is. Thank you, Boston, for this historic and prestigious road race. It is worth every stride of the 26.2 miles.”

Upcoming race news

As sure as the trees starting to bud and the flowers popping out of the ground, so, too, is the local race schedule bursting at the seams with events. Each week, we’ll try to take a sliver of what’s going on out there and highlight it.

Racing to Save Lives, Saturday, May 13: The second annual cancer fundraiser in Beacon will feature something for everyone — a flat, fast and scenic 5K along the Hudson River, and a rugged and rigorous 10-miler that scales Mount Beacon. Don Markoe of LaGrange (Markoe Running Series) and Beacon Endurance are proud organizers of the second annual race.

Markoe said all proceeds of the race will go toward the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through the Pan Mass Challenge (www.pmc.org) and in memory of Andrea Markoe. Don Markoe is not just organizing this race, he’s putting his money where his feet are.

“All of my children will be riding this year, as well as a nephew and one boyfriend of my daughters," he said. “Each of them has committed to raising $1,500 for cancer care and research. As well as myself who will be raising $4,000 for the ride."

Both races start at Long Dock Park in Beacon. The 10-miler follows the winding, hilly trail up past the old casino and to the fire tower atop Mount Beacon, and returns back the same way. The 5K is also out-and-back, on a carriage path along the Hudson River.

Added Markoe: “Stephen Heath and Connie Seigh have both been very instrumental in putting this race together. They both have an eagerness to share what the running world has to offer as well helping to fundraise for cancer care and research."

Race signups begin at 7 a.m. The 10-miler begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9 a.m. Race information can be found at www.mhrrc.org.

Markoe also noted that there is another, similar event to be held July 8 at Tymor Park in Union Vale. That race will feature 5K and 10K trail races. Information is also at www.mhrrc.org.

MHRRC race postponed: According to the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club website, the Earn Your Wings 5K at the Dutchess County Airport, scheduled for Saturday, May 6, has been rescheduled. According to a release at www.mhrrc.org, “the FAA rescinded the approval to use the Dutchess County Airport runway for the race, and an alternate location could not be found in time for the May 6 race date. We apologize for the inconvenience."

The release noted that the race has been rescheduled for Sunday, Aug. 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the Poughkeepsie Galleria. This is actually an excellent idea, as the midsummer months are a time when the local road race calendar is somewhat lacking in events. Stay tuned for more updates on the rescheduled event.

Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club member Pete Colaizzo, the track coach at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, writes on running every week in Players. He can be reached at runhed246@hotmail.com. For more club information, go to www.mhrrc.org